The 2022 MLB Draft will begin on July 17, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. Today we take a look at shortstop Jett Williams, one of the top prep bats from Texas. Williams has continued to get first-round hype as he continues to show off his juicy tools this spring and he has legitimate five-tool potential.
The Mississippi State commit has a big decision coming up this spring, but if the situation is right he will sign with the team that drafts him. In our exclusive with him back in March, he stated that he feels he is ready to go professional out of high school.
Make sure to check out all of our other MLB Draft Profiles.
Jett Williams, Shortstop, Rockwall-Heath HS (TX)
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 178 lbs.
DOB: 11/03/2003
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
2019 Stats: .310 BA, .455 OBP, 18 RBI, 29 R, 16 SB;
2020 Stats: .346/.460/.519, 3 triples, 1 homer, 7 RBI, 14 R, 7 SB;
2021 Stats: .347/.514/.723, 5 doubles, 9 triples, 5 HR, 37 RBI, 40 R, 15 SB
Scouting Grades
Hit: 60
Power: 50
Run: 60
Arm: 50
Field: 55
Williams has elite bat-to-ball skills and doesn’t have much swing and miss in his game. He squares up the best of the best pitchers while driving the ball to all fields. The 18-year-old has above-average speed and great hitting abilities to be a solid leadoff hitter. He has the work ethic and baseball IQ to be a leader on and off the field for any team. All five of his tools have at least above-average potential and he is always leading by example.
Strengths
The biggest strength for Williams is his ability to hit consistently at the plate. He doesn’t strike out much and will just put the ball in play. He has a quick and compact swing that goes smoothly through the zone, with a chance to add more power as he fills out. You won’t see him swinging at pitches outside the zone too often as he waits for his pitch. Williams is the type of hitter that can hit over .300 and smash at least 15-20 homers a season. After coming back from shoulder issues, he has shown that he is healthy and can stick at shortstop. He has good arm strength and the range to make plenty of plays in the hole. Even if he doesn’t stick at shortstop long-term, he has the range and speed to play center and could handle second well.
Weaknesses
There is a lot to like about Williams and not much to dislike. The one potential concern is whether or not the shoulder problems will concern, which will affect his throwing ability. When his shoulder was bothering him during the summer showcase circuit, he wasn’t throwing well. But when he is healthy, which he is now, Williams has solid arm strength to stick at shortstop.
Pro Comparison: Jose Altuve
At 5’8″, 178 pounds, Williams has a chip on his shoulder as a smaller player. He doesn’t let it bother him and proves the doubters wrong with his play on the field. Altuve has a similar build, at 5’6″, 166 pounds, and has had a solid career, although at second base. The reason why the Houston Astro plays at second is that he lacks the arm strength to play shortstop. If the shoulder bothers Williams again, or the team who drafts him feels he isn’t built for shortstop, he may move to second. Outside of the similar frame, Williams also has the same type of approach at the plate as Altuve, and they both rarely strikeout.
Draft Projection: Atlanta Braves: Round 1, Pick 20
This season is Dansby Swanson‘s last under contract by the Braves. The former 2015 number one overall pick will be a free agent after the season and Atlanta will need to begin building for their future without him. The Braves do have two top ten prospects who are shortstops, in Braden Shewmake (No. 6) and Vaughn Grissom (No. 7), but outside of that, there isn’t much depth. They could move Williams to second upon his debut if one of those guys makes it up to the big leagues and takes the shortstop position long-term. Outside of the Braves, there are plenty of teams in the back half of the first round that could use Williams’ skillset.
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Main Image Credit: From Jim Klenke on Twitter
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